San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-01-10
CHAPTER TX.

CHATTER LIZ. ... o.. .
That morning, beautiful day in Au-
gust, sudden impulse had seized Lady
May Carleton. She reached home on
the night before-her home then was
with her cousin, Lady GertOn, at
Queens Gardens, Hyde Park-,and she
had been thinking great deal OF her
lover. Her absence had been prolonged.
She had remained for some weekslonger
than she had intended. and now she felt
anxious over him. He had been for
some time at the farm; his illness must
have been even more serious than she
had thought it, if it necessitated all this
recruiting. She had not heard from
him for some time. and she felt, per-
haps, more anxious than she had ever
done before over him.
Lady GertOn was wealthy, middle
aged widow, not particularly good look
ing, but with plenty of force of char
acter. She was Lady Mays chosen
friend, and on the evening of her arrival
they had long and cosy conversation.
"Driye down Tomorrow" said Lady
Gerton. suddenly. "Aspendale is not
more than twenty miles from town.
drive down, and then you will see for
yourself how Mr. st. John is. | will go
with you. 1t will be pleasant drive"
1T will be a very long one," said
Lady May, doubtfully; she was very
fond of Eric, but she never thought OF
making any sacrifice for him. The
day is sure to be hot, too" she added.
Lady GertOn laughed.
mo one will ever accuse you of being
deeply in love, May" she said. "Such
trifes as time, distance. heat, or cold
should be nothing to lovers" .---...-.
81 am quite willing to co. said Lady
May. and she wondered why her cousin
laughed again. ga.
at is very good of YOU" said Lady
Gerton. IF it be settled that we go, l
will give orders about the carriage to-
night" --. .U.....
The result was that on this fine, bright,
August morning. the two ladies started
on the long drive to Larch Hill Farm.
"You will take Mr.. st. John quite by
surprise, Lady May" said her cousin,
she does not know that you are in Eng
land, does her" .. .s.-. r. =.
mo, suppose not; gave him no
date when wrote to him." ,. .. -n
"He will be delighted said Lady
Gerton, and Lady May looked supreme
ly conscious that she was about to be-
stow great pleasure, and great honor
upon someone. - .ru. ~. H..t n
They had very pleasant drive; the
sun was not too warm, or the roads too
dusty. They reached the farm in very
good spirits, neither of them expected
in the least the beautiful apparition
who appeared in the porch. There was
dead silence for some few minutes after
the two ladies were seated, then Lady
-Gerton spoke.
"Did you notice." she asked, "what
very beautiful girl that was who came
to us?"
"Passable," replied Lady May.
"Passable! l tell you she Is beauti-
full cried Lady Gerton. Then she
added, solemnly, "Did you see how her
face flushed at the mention of Mr.. st.
Johns name?"
"Shyness," CURLY replied Lady May.
81 hope So" said Lady Gerton. II
en- not of suspicious turn of mind
not at all; but taking all things together,
do not think you have come to Larch
Hill one moment too soon," and then
Lady GertOn said no more.
Lady May rose and looked round the
room.
"A pretty place." she said. but very
quiet. do not know how Mr. St. John
has contrived to get on here"
HE has had his amusements without
doubt" said Lady Gerton, significantly.
There came knock at the door, and
Mrs. Vaughan entered in state of
great confusion and nervous agitation.
pray do not apologize said Lady
May, briskly. "There is not the least
need. No one could expect that you
should stand at your door awaiting
chance visitors. We were not detained
long. We came without giving you
warning; so that We must be content,
Do You know where Mr.. st. John is,l"
"Out in the fields" replied poor Mrs,
grandeur and dignity of her visitors.
"We shall be glad to see him as soon
as possible" said Lady May. "Can the
carriage be put up and the horses fed
here2 The men can 60 to the hotel at
Aspendale, and perhaps you can give us
little dinner with Mr.. st. JOhnY